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Reflex suppression in the anti-saccade task is dependent on prestimulus neural processes
S Everling1, M C Dorris, D P Munoz
1Department of Physiology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
Journal of Neurophysiology
|September 24, 1998
Summary
Successful suppression of reflexive saccades relies on prestimulus neural activity in the superior colliculus (SC). Failures in this control are linked to high prestimulus activity in SC buildup neurons.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Primate behavior
- Oculomotor control
Background:
- Voluntary behavior requires suppressing reflexive responses.
- Failures in this suppression are not well understood.
- The superior colliculus (SC) plays a role in controlling eye movements.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neural mechanisms underlying failures in suppressing reflexive saccades.
- To identify the role of prestimulus activity in the SC during an anti-saccade task.
Main Methods:
- Recorded single-neuron activity in the superior colliculus (SC) of behaving monkeys.
- Utilized an anti-saccade task requiring suppression of reflexive eye movements.
- Analyzed prestimulus activity of buildup neurons in relation to task performance.
Main Results:
- Prestimulus activity levels and distribution in SC buildup neurons predicted correct responses versus errors.
- High prestimulus activity in SC neurons representing the visual stimulus correlated with reflexive saccade generation.
- This suggests prestimulus neural activity is critical for successful suppression.
Conclusions:
- Prestimulus neural processes in the superior colliculus are crucial for suppressing reflexive saccades.
- Aberrant activity in SC buildup neurons may underlie failures in voluntary motor control.
- Understanding these neural dynamics offers insights into oculomotor disorders.